Kewanna Site Improvements Chapter Draft

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12 —Kewanna Downtown Revitalization PlanK

Element: Site Improvements•Existing Conditions•Design Vision

Kewanna Downtown Revitalization Plan — 13

Streets and Traffic PatternsTheTownofKewannacantraceitscurrentphysicalconfigurationbacktothedevelopmentof

the railroad that once traveled north and south through the eastern edge of the town, the site

ofpresentdayRailroadStreet.Thetowndevelopedwestfromthislocation,sitingbuildingsand

streets in a grid pattern toward Logan Street, SR 17, on the west.

TheprimarystreetconnectingtheformerrailroadandSR17isMainStreet.Thiscorridorserves

asthecommercialcoreand“downtown”ofthecommunity.NorthandsouthofMainStreet,

residentialneighborhoodscontinueforapproximatelyfourblocksineachdirectionandsome

industryislocatedontheeast,west,andnorthedgesofthetown’scorporatelimits.

OtherthanSR17,MainStreetisthemostheavilytraveledcorridorthroughtown.Althoughmostly

localtraffic,largetruckscanoftenbefoundonMainStreetastheytraveltooneofthelocal

industries.Ithasbeennotedthatanalternatetruckroutemaybeappropriatetominimizelarge

trucksthroughdowntown.MainStreetiscomprisedoftwotravellanes,oneineachdirection,

withon-streetparkingoccurringthroughout.BetweenLoganStreet(SR17)andSmithStreet,

parkingonthesouthsideisangleparkingandparkingonthenorthsideisparallelparking.Other

thanthistwoblockstretchofMain,allotherparkingisparallelparking.Concretesidewalksalong

MainStreetaregenerallyinfairtopoorcondition.TherepeatedoverlayofasphaltonMain

Street’ssurfacehasresultedinthelossofanygradeseparationbetweenthewalksandroadway.

Inmanyinstances,thesidewalksarebeloworlevelwiththeelevationofthestreet.

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Site improvementS: exiSting ConditionS

Railroad Street

MainStreetLookingWest


StreetS and traffiC patternS map

Kewanna Downtown Revitalization Plan — 15K

TheasphaltsurfacealongMaincanalsobecharacterizedasinfairtopoorcondition.As

referencedabove,multipleasphaltoverlaysontheroadwaymayrequirethatfutureim-

provementsconsistofmillingandreconstructiontoreestablishappropriatedrainageand

moretraditionalstreetcrosssections.Currently,stormwaterdrainstolowpointsatintersec-

tionswherestorminletsoccur.Althoughnotconfirmed,itisalsoastrongpossibilitythatthe

originalbrickstreetstillexistsbeneaththeasphaltpavement,whichcouldbeimportantto

considerasimprovementsareinvestigated.Brickroadsareconsidereddesirabletomany

communitiesbecauseoftheiraestheticappeal,durability,andabilitytocalmtraffic.

LoganStreet,orSR17,isthemostheavilytraveledcorridorthroughKewannaandcon-

nectsLogansportonthesouthtoSR14andthecommunitiesofCulverandPlymouthnorth

ofSR14.AccordingtoINDOTtrafficcounts,anaverageofapproximately800vehicles

passthroughKewannaonadailybasisviaSR17.Asthistrafficmuststopattheintersec-

tionofMainandLoganStreets,thereisanopportunitytoencouragesomeofthistrafficto

travelimmediatelyeasttodowntown,ratherthanthroughtownandtothenorthorsouth.

ThroughKewanna,SR17iscomprisedoftwotravellanes,oneheadednorthandone

south.Theasphaltisinrelativelypoorconditionandcurbsaredeterioratedornon-ex-

istent.SouthofMainStreet,largetreelawnsseparatetheroadfromadjacentconcrete

sidewalks.Thesidewalksarenarrow,inpoorcondition,andlargestretchesexistwhere

sidewalkshavebeenremovedorwereneverinstalled.


MainStreetSidewalk&Road

MainStreetDrainage


AtMainStreet,SR17jogswestbeforeheadingnorthoutoftown.NorthofMainStreet,

sidewalksadjacenttotheroadwayaresporadic.Residentiallawnslieimmediately

adjacenttotheroadwayandthereisnoprominentgatewayintoKewannafromthe

north.INDOThasimprovementsscheduledforSR17beginningin2015thatwould

improvetheroadwayfromSR16toSR14.Consistingprimarilyofasphaltimprovements,

thetownshouldworktocoordinatewithINDOTandinvestigatewhatoptionsmightbe

availableformakingimprovementsthroughtown.

ResidentialstreetsthroughoutKewannaaresimilarinnature.Theyarecharacterizedby

two travel lanes heading north/south or east/west depending on their orientation and

theygenerallyhavesporadicsidewalksseparatedbytreelawnscontainingmature

shade trees.

Thesetreesaddtothestreetappealoftheneighborhoodsandhavebeennotedas

anassetbythecommunity.Thereisaneed,however,foratreeinventorywithinthe

communitytoidentifythoseinneedofselectivetrimmingand/orremovaltoreduceany

liability.Curbsalongstreetsarenotpresentoraredilapidated,allowingparkingtooccur

withoutmuchorder.Stormdrainsaregenerallylocatedatintersectionswherelowpoints

occur.


SR17LookingSouth SR17LookingNorth

17 —Kewanna Downtown Revitalization Plan

Downtown UsesAnactivecommercialdistrictduringitspeak,Kewanna’sdowntownisunderutilizedtoday

asaresultofsocialandeconomicchangesand,specifically,thelossoftherailroad.

Manyofthetown’shistoricbuildingshavebeendemolishedandmanyofthoseremaining

areinneedofrepair.Currently,noonelivesinthedowntownbuildings.Althoughmuch

smallerthantheinventoryofbusinessesthatoriginallyoccupiedthedowntown,several

businessesarestilllocatedtherethatprovidestabilityandhopeforthefutureofthe

downtown.Althoughnotanexhaustivelist,someofthebusinessesinclude:abank,post

office,bar/restaurant,café,hardwarestore,autopartsstore,funeralhome,andartist’s

studio.Forthevastmajorityofserviceandshippingneeds,thepeopleofKewannatravel

outsideofthecommunity.Additionally,workisunderwaytoreopenagasstationwhich

willhouseaconveniencestore,andtoopenasmallgrocerystore.Futhermore,local

citizenshavetakenaninterestinthehistoricbuildingstockandareworkingtorenovate

andrepurposesomeoftheexistingbuildingsintocommercialspaceonceagain.

ThelocalCarnegieLibrary,whichisprominentlysitedonMainStreet,recentlyreceived

substantialrenovationsandisactivelyusedbythecommunity.Amomentumandenergy

is apparent in the downtown.

Lookingforward,asthetownbeginstoredevelopandexistingbuildingsarestabilized,

renovated,andoccupied,severalopenspacesareavailableinthedowntownthat

couldaccommodatefutureinfill.

Adjacent NeighborhoodsResidentialneighborhoodssurroundthedowntownonallsides.Althoughsomeornate,

mid-19thcentury,homesarelocatednearthedowntown,thesurroundingneighborhoods

arepredominatelycomprisedofearlytomid-20thcenturyhomes.Neighborhoods

appearstablewithstructuresvaryinginconditionfromexcellenttopoor.

Addingtotheaestheticofthe

neighborhoodsaremature

trees that line the streets and

are scattered throughout the

properties.Generallylacking,

however, are street lights,

curbs,connectedsidewalks,

andcrosswalks.

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20thCenturyHomesMainStreetBuildings

18—KewannaDowntownRevitalizationPlanK

Cultural featureS map

KewannaDowntownRevitalizationPlan—19K

Cultural FeaturesForatownofitssize,Kewannaoffersseveralculturalamenities.Perhapsoneofthemost

notableistheCarnegieLibrary.ProminentlylocatedonthenorthsideofMainStreet,mid-

blockbetweenTonerandSmithStreets,theCarnegieLibraryservesasahubofactivityfor

thecommunity.Thefacilitynotonlyoffersalargebook,audio,andvisualcollection,but

alsoprovidesinternetaccessforlocalcitizens,offersaffordabledaycare,andprovidesa

smallperformancestageandauditorium.Havingrecentlyundergonerenovationsanda

newaddition,thisfacilityisanimportantassetwithinthecommunity.

Anothercivicandculturalassetwithinthecommunityisthelocalfiredepartment.Not

onlyistheKewanna-UnionTownshipVolunteerFireDepartmentahighlyratedorganization

thathelpskeeplocalinsurancerateslow,buttheorganizationsponsorslocalactivities

suchaspancakebreakfastsandisactivelyinvolvedincommunityeventssuchasthe

Kewanna Fall Festival.

Additionalculturalamenitieswithin

Kewannacanbefoundwithinlocal

businessessuchasWinamacCoilSpring,

KewannaMetalSpecialties,andothers.

Notonlydothesecompaniesprovide

employmentforthelocalcitizenry,but

theyaretrulyinvestedinthecommunity,

helping sponsor annual events such as the

KewannaFallFestival.Anannualevent,

theKewannaFallFestivalisaprimarily

free event that has offered activities

such as circuses, parades, carnival rides,

magicians,otherliveentertainment,craft

booths,andfood.Additionally,local

businessesarehelpingsupportandreopen

otherbusinesseswithinthecommunity

suchasthelocalcaféandgasstation/

conveniencestore.TheKibitzer,alocalbar

and eatery, also serves as a cultural asset

andgatheringpointforthecommunity.


TheKibitzer

CarnegieLibrary

20—KewannaDowntownRevitalizationPlanK

DianeTesler,alocalartistandentrepreneur,isamajorculturalassettoKewanna.

Nationallyrecognizedforherartwork,Dianeattractsthousandsofvisitorsannually

to Kewanna to attend one of her art shows and/or painting courses. She is strongly

investedinthecommunity,havingboughtmultiplestructureswithinthetown.Diane

haspurchased,renovated,andestablishedherartstudiointheformerOddFellowsHall

atthecornerofMainandLoganStreets.ShehasalsopurchasedtheformerMasonic

LodgelocatedonLoganStreetandisintheprocessofrenovatingit.Additionally,Diane

has purchased two residences, one in which she lives, and one which she uses to house

artstudentsduringthesummer.Diane’spresencewithinthecommunityoverthepast

twentyplusyears,hashelpedtobreathenewlifeintotheTownofKewanna.Although

notcurrentlyactivelyused,anotherculturalassettothecommunitycanbefoundinthe

formerrailroadstationlocatedonRailroadStreet.

TheonlyremainingartifactfromtheamenitythatwastheinitialimpetustoKewanna’s

development,thisstructurehasthepotentialtoberepurposedintosomethingculturally

significant.

Natural FeaturesBothanaturalandculturalamenity,Kewanna’slocalUnionTownshipParkprovidesa

gatheringplaceforthecommunity.Offeringamenitiesincludingaplayground,shelter,

walkingpath,tenniscourt,basketballcourts,andbaseballfield,thisspaceisactivelyused

duringwarmweather.Annualevents,includingportionsoftheKewannaFallFestival,are

heldwithinthepark.

LocatedonthesouthsideofMainStreetacrossfromtheCarnegieLibrary,andinan

areabetweenthebankandpostoffice,asmallpocketparkissitedwhereacommercial

buildingoncestood.

Offering plantings and a

shelter, this space is used

for gathering during the

summer.Thisspaceis

toosmallandconfined

to offer large gathering

opportunities, and another

spacedowntownmay

bemoreappropriatefor

downtown gathering or an

urban/communitypark.


UnionTownshipPark

Kewanna Downtown Revitalization Plan — 21KKKK

natural featureS map

UnionTownshipPark


Althoughnotwithinthetown’scorporatelimits,BruceLakeislocatedapproximately4.5

milesnortheastofKewanna.Alakecommunityfeaturinga290acrespringfedlake,this

areaisveryactiveduringthesummer.OpportunitiesmayexisttoconnectLakeBruce

toKewannaviaamulti-usetrailthatwouldallowthetwocommunitiesaccesstoeach

other’samenities.Thiswouldnotonlyprovideadditionalrecreationalopportunities,but

couldspursomeadditionaleconomicdevelopment.

LightingLightingthroughoutKewannaislimited.Theonlystreetlightsprovidedoccurdowntown

alongMainStreet.Thelightsareacobraheadstylefixturemountedonlarge,twenty

feettallpoles.Theselightsdonotappeartohavebeenrecentlyupdatedandaremost

likelyinefficient.Asimprovementstothetownaremade,thecommunitywouldliketo

investinmoreaestheticallyappealing,efficient,andpedestrianscalelights.


BruceLake Existing Street Light


Site FurnishingsOtherthanapicnictableoutsidetheCarnegieLibraryandtheseatingatthedowntown

pocketpark,nobenchesareprovided.Sitefurnishingsarelimitedtoafewplanters

scatteredalongMainStreet.Litterreceptaclesarenotprovided.

SignageSignagewithinKewannavariesinsize,style,andplacementandincludesappliqueson

windows,letteringaffixedtothebuildings,andsignssuspendedfromthefaceofbuildings.

Whilesomeofthesignageissuccessful,othersignsdetractfromtheoverallappearance

ofdowntownandshouldbeupdated.Standardsforsigndesignandplacementshould

beusedtocreateacleaner,morecohesiveenvironment.

Additionally,wayfindingsignageislimitedthroughtown.WhileKewannadoeshave

adedicatedtruckroutethroughtown,semitruckscanoftenbefoundinundesirable

locationspartiallyduetoinadequatesignage.


Existing Street LightExisting Planters

Existing Signage

24 —Kewanna Downtown Revitalization PlanK K

PlantingsSmallplantersarelocatedsporadicallythroughoutdowntownandnostreettreesare

presentalongMainStreet.Thecommunityhasindicatedadesireforadditionalplantings

and trees to help soften the appearance of downtown and provide additional color,

shade, and visual interest.

Aspreviouslymentioned,maturestreettreesareacommonoccurrenceinKewanna’s

residentialneighborhoods.Whilethesetreesareanassettothecommunity,atree

inventoryneedstobecompletedinordertoidentifythoseinneedoftrimmingand/or

removal.Forthosetreesneedingremoval,additionalaccommodationsshouldbemade

fortheirreplacement.

UtilitiesTypicalofmostdowntowns,Kewanna’sinfrastructureislocatedaboveandbelowground

and within the alley and street right-of-ways throughout the city. Utilities within the target

areainclude,butarenotlimitedto:stormsewers,sanitarysewers,water,gas,electric,

andtelecommunications.

Comparativelyspeaking,Kewanna’sdowntownhasfeweraboveground,visibleutilities

thanmanycommunitiesitssize.ThisisanassettoKewannathatimprovestheaesthetic

appealofthedowntownandshouldbemaintained.

Generally,stormsewersarelocatedwithinthestreetsandsanitarysewerswithinboththe

alleysandstreets.Storminletstypicallyoccuratlowpointsinstreetintersections.Recent

improvementstothestormandsanitarysystemwerecompletedandarebelievedtobe

in relatively good shape.

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MatureStreetTrees Typical utilities

Kewanna Downtown Revitalization Plan — 25KK

Existing Environmental ConditionsAccordingtotheIndianaMapwebsite,http://www.indianamap.org,multiple

undergroundstoragetanksarepresentinKewanna.Ofthese,oneisnoted

asleaking.Additionally,onebrownfieldisnotedindowntownandtwoNPDES

facilitiesarelocatedwithinthecorporatelimits.Oneindustrialwastesiteisnoted

immediatelywestofthetown’scorporatelimits.

Asredevelopmentofthedowntownoccursandselectbuildingsand/orsites

arerazed/renovated/reused,itmaybenecessarytoconductadditional

environmentalassessmentstoidentifyspecifichazardsandremediation

procedures.

ItisalsoworthnotingthattheFultonCountyEconomicDevelopmentCorporation

recentlyreceivedagrantandisworkingwithalocalagencytoconduct

environmentalinvestigationinFultonCountyfacilities.Thismaybeanopportunity

to investigate select sites within Kewanna.

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Typical utilities


Kewanna StreetSCape improvement plan

27 —Kewanna Downtown Revitalization PlanK KKK

OverviewThrough a review and analysis of the existing conditions present in Kewanna’s downtown

andsurroundingneighborhoods,thepotentialofthecommunitybeginstorevealitself.

Whilemuchofthedowntownandsurroundingneighborhoodscouldbenefitfromattention

totheirinfrastructureandphysicalappearance,Kewannacurrentlyattractsnumerous

visitorsannuallywhotraveltothecommunityforbusiness,food,art,andthesmalltown

appeal.Inanefforttoattractadditionalvisitors,stabilize,andevengrowthecommunity,

futureeffortsshouldbefocusedonimprovementstothedowntown’sinfrastructure,

buildings,physicalappearance,andgatheringandinfillopportunities.Additionally,

improvedgateways,branding,andconnectionsintothecommunitywillhelpboost

interest in the town.

Main Street CorridorThemostimportantareaoffocusforthisstudyistheMainStreetCorridor.Asdepicted

inthe“StreetscapeImprovementPlan”and“MainStreetSection/Perspective,”initial

improvementstothiscorridorshouldincludemillingandresurfacingthestreet,new

concretecurbs,sidewalks,andlighting.Withtheseimprovements,thetraditionalstreet

sectionwillberestoredallowingstreetstobelowerthanbuildings,minimizingstanding

water,andprohibitingvehiclesfromconflictingwithpedestriansand/orbuildings.In

conjunctionwiththeseimprovements,newaccessiblecurbramps,intersectiontreatments

withcrosswalks,on-streetparking,sitefurnishings,andplantingsshouldbeprovided.

TheimprovedMainStreetasdescribedwillbepedestrianfocusedbutalso

accommodatingtovehicles.Intersectiontreatmentsmayincludespecialpavementsto

actasvisualwarningsatallintersectionsandpedestriansignalizationshouldbeconsidered

attheintersectionofMainandSR17.Thesetreatmentswillalsohelpcalmtrafficthrough

downtown.Asmostofthestormwaterinletsarecurrentlysitedinornearintersections,

curbextensionsactingasstormwaterplantersmayalsobeappropriateanddesirable.

Essentially,stormwaterplantersarecurbeddepressionswithintheROW(right-of-way)

containingwater-lovingplantsandanengineeredsoilmix.

Stormwaterisallowedtoflowintotheplanterswhereplantstranspireandcleansethe

stormwaterovertime.Duringlargerainevents,standpipesareprovidedthatallowexcess

watertotravelintotheconventionalstormsewersystem.Thesegreenconstructionsalso

increasepedestriansafetybynarrowingtheextentoftheroadwaythatapedestrianmust

cross.On-streetparking,whichiscurrentlyangled,shouldbereconfiguredasparallel

parking.Thiswouldallowthecurblinetoshiftmoretowardsthecenterlineofthestreet

andwouldallowforwidersidewalksandamenityzones.Withthesewidersidewalks,

outdoorvendoranddisplayspacewillmakeoutdooreatingandcommercemore

accessibleandachievable.

Site improvementS: deSign viSion

28—KewannaDowntownRevitalizationPlanK K

StreetSCape improvement plan

KewannaDowntownRevitalizationPlan—29KK

Whilethestyleofthestreetlightingshouldbechosenbythecommunity,streetlights

shouldbevisuallyappealing,andatapedestrianscalesimilartotheadjacentimage.

Lightpolesshouldbetwelvetofourteenfeettallandshouldlightthepedestrianpathway.

LEDfixturesshouldbestronglyconsideredinanefforttoincreaseenergyefficiency.

Accommodationsforbannersshouldalsobeconsideredonlightpoles,whichallowfor

seasonaldecorationandadvertisementoflocalevents.

AlongtheMainStreetcorridor,newsitefurnishingsincludinglitterreceptacles,benches,

andwayfindingsignagearerecommended.Theseitemsshouldhaveanaestheticsimilar

tothesitelightingsothatacommonvocabularyinappearanceispresentedinthe

community.Thefurnishingsshouldoccuratregularintervalsandshouldbeplacedina

mannerthatdoesnotimpedepedestriantraffic.

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Anexampleofdesignstreetscapefeaturesthatarepedestrian-friendlyStreetlightdesignexamples


Withthesuggestedimprovements,opportunitiesfornewplantingswilloccur.Thesecan

beaccommodatedthroughcutoutsintheconcretesidewalkorthroughabove-grade

planters.Moveableurnsarerecommendedinlieuoffixedconstructions.Additionally,

manycommunitiesusetheoptionalbannerpolespresentonstreetlightstoplacehanging

baskets.Colorfulplantingsareattractivetovisitorsandhelptosoftentheappearanceof

thebuildingsandpavedsurfacesfounddowntown.Ifcutoutsintheconcretesidewalk

arechosen,therewillbeanopportunityforstreettreesaswell.Ifstreettreesarea

desirableamenity,carefulconsiderationshouldbegiventothespecieschosen.Typically,

nutorfruitbearingtreesarenotdesirableastheycanbemessyonstreetsidewalks,and

cancauseissueswithstormdrainage.Additionally,treeswithhigherbranchingheights

andanuprightbranchingpatternshouldbechosentominimizetheneedforpruningand

tominimizeconflictwithpedestriansandvehicles.

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SampleLitterReceptacle

SampleCompleteStreetSampleCorridorStreetBenchSampleWayfindingSignage


Outdated BusinessSignage

Unattrative utility poles and street lighting focusedonautomobiles

Before Visual / Gateway / LandmarkOpportunity

Abundanceofwiresinintersection are unattrative and create visual clutter

Additionalvegetationwould help soften downtown structures and increase apparent density

Sidewalksbelowelevationofstreet create drainage issues - Nocurbsarepresent

Vacant property creates lackofdensityandfriendly pedestrian scale

Nodesignatedpedestriancrossings

Millingandresurfacingnecessarytolowerasphaltelevationbelowfirstfloorelevationsofbuildings

Site improvementS: exiSting interSeCtion of main and logan


improved main Street and S.r. 17 interSeCtion ConCept

After


SR 17 (Logan Street)Asitistheprimaryrouteintoandoutofthecommunity,SR17playsanintegralroleinform-

ingafirstimpressionofKewanna.Withthatinmind,severalimprovementsaresuggested

forthecorridor.ManyoftheimprovementswouldbesimilartotheMainStreetcorridor

andwouldincludemillingandresurfacingofthestreet,newconcretecurbs,sidewalks,

lighting,definedon-streetparking,stormwaterplanters,intersectiontreatments,andsome

new street trees. In addition, new vehicular and pedestrian signalization would occur at

theintersectionofMainStreetandSR17toensuresafepedestriancrossingatthiskeyin-

tersection.

BecauseSR17isthemostheavilytraveledinto,through,andoutoftown,itshouldalsobe

consideredforgatewayenhancementsinkeylocationsasdiscussedlaterinthischapter.

AllofthesesuggestedimprovementswillneedtobecoordinatedwithINDOT.Improve-

mentsarecurrentlyplannedforSR17inthenearfutureandthetownshouldactivelywork

withthestatetomakesuretheimprovementsenhancethetown,contributingtothelong

termgoalsofthecommunity.

Neighborhood StreetsInadditiontotheimprovementssuggestedfortheprimarycorridorsthroughtown,im-

provementscanalsobeconsideredformanyofthelocal,neighborhoodstreets.Improve-

mentstothesestreetswillenhancetheirwalkability,helpstabilizetheneighborhoods,and

enhancetheirvisualappearance.Improvementswouldincludemillingandresurfacingof

thestreetswherenecessary,newconcretecurbs,accessiblesidewalks,lighting,on-street

parking,stormwaterplantersatintersections,intersectiontreatments,andcrosswalks.Se-

lectivetrimming,removal,andreplacementofexistingstreettreeswillalsoneedtooccur

toaccommodatetheimprovements.Belowisanexampleofanimprovedneighborhood

street that Kewanna should strive for.


Anexampleofanimprovedneighborhoodstreet


Downtown ParkInadditiontothepreviouslysuggestedimprovementssuggestedalongMainStreet,anew

downtownparkisproposedforthespacebetween109E.MainStreetand113E.Main

Street.Whileasmallpocketparkdoescurrentlyexistacrossfromthelibrary,thespaceis

toosmalltobeusedforlargercommunitygatherings.Thisparkwouldbelargerinscale,

andwouldbeintendedtoactasanurbangatheringspotwhereperformancesand

eventssuchasmoviesonthelawn,iceskating,poetryreading,concerts,andsmallplays

couldoccur.Individuals,groups,andfamiliescouldgatherinthisparktomeet,socialize,

throwafrisbee,read,anddineoutdoorsamongotheractivities.Theintentwouldbefor

thespacetobeactivesevendaysandeveningsaweek,andallyearround.

Asdepictedintheenlargedparkplan,amenitieswithinthisspacewouldincludepublic

art,asplashpad,lawnsteps,agatheringlawn,seatingareas,aperformancestage,and

plantingstoprovideshadeandvisualappeal.Publicartattractsvisitorsandattention

andcantakemanyshapesandsizes.Whetherasculptureorsomeothermedium,the

sitingofthepublicartasdepictedinthe

enlargementwouldprovideavisualanchor

totheparkandcouldbeinteractive.It

could incorporate sound and/or water and

theartworkcouldbeplacedtemporarilyto

maintaininterest.

Immediatelysouthofthepublicart,a

splash pad is depicted. This splash pad

wouldactasanurbanplaza,andwould

becomprisedofwaterjetsemergingfrom

thepavementsurface.Anattractionto

childrenandfamiliesduringwarmseasons,

thesplashpadmayalsoincorporatecolor

changinglighting,givingitnighttime

appeal.Additionally,ifproperlydesigned,

thewaterjetscanbechoreographedto

musicorperformancesoccurringonthe

performancestageatthesouthendofthe

park.


SamplePublicArtSampleDowntownSplashPad



South of the splash pad, a new, slightly recessed, gathering lawn is envisioned. Surround-

edbylawnstepsonallsidesthatactasseatsduringevents,thelawncouldbeusedfor

vendorspaceduringartshowsandfestivals,seatingduringevents,orsimplyasaspace

forpassiverecreation.Duringwintermonths,atemporaryicerinkcouldbeerectedto

provideinterestthroughoutthewintermonths.Surroundingthelawn,strategicallyplaced

towerscouldprovidelightingandsoundforthepark.

Flankingthegatheringlawnonboththeeastandwestsides,seatingareasareproposed

thatwouldcontaintablesandchairs.Theseareasmaybeusedforpassiveactivitiessuch

as dining, reading, relaxing, and/or watching events on the gathering lawn and/or perfor-

mancestage.Thesitefurnitureshouldbemoveable,allowingpatronstheabilitytoar-

range the furniture as they please.

Thisstrategyhasproventobemuch

moresuccessfulinurbanparksthan

fixedbenches,tables,and/orchairs

whichrequireindividualstositina

veryspecificspotorposition.Thisis

nottosay,however,thatbenchesare

inappropriateforspecificlocationsin

parksandalongstreetscapes.

Atthesouthendofthepark,onaxis

withthepublicartandgatheringlawn

tothenorth,asmallperformance

stageisrecommended.Thisstage

wouldbemulti-functionalandcould

beusedforsmalltomediumsize

performances,aswellasmovieson

the lawn, and shelter. The stage

would offer a variety of sound and

electricalcapabilitiesthatcould

accommodatebands,plays,etc.,

andwouldbelightedforuseatnight.


SampleGatheringLawn,StepsandMovableFurniture

SampleDowntownParkPerformanceStage


Vacant Store Front

Vacant Store Front

VacantSpacewherebuildingonce stood decreases density ofdowntownanddetractsfrompedestrian scale and friendliness

Streetishigherthanadjacentsidewalk.Nocurbdefinition,streetlights,benches,litterreceptacles,orothergeneralstreetscapeamenities.

Before

Site improvementS: exiSting parK loCation

37 —Kewanna Downtown Revitalization PlanK KK K

downtown parK deSign ConCept

After


downtown parK deSign ConCept


Infill OpportunitiesTheinfrastructure,economic,andarchitecturalimprovementssuggestedwithinthisreport

willhelpstabilizethedowntownandsetthestagefornewgrowth.Asexistingbuildings

fillupandnewbuildingsandspacesareneeded,newbuildinginfillmayberequired.If

so,keyparcelsarehighlightedinthepreviouslyreferencedStreetscapeImprovement

Planthatshouldbetargetedfornewinfill.Perhapsthemostimportantofthesewould

betheemptyparcelsatthenortheastandnorthwestcornersoftheintersectionofMain

StreetandLoganStreet(SR17).Constructionofnewbuildingsatthiskeyintersection,

asdepictedinthesketchonpage32,wouldgreatlyimprovetheappearanceofthe

communityuponarrivalatthetownonSR17andwouldprovidethemostvisiblelocation

fornewbusiness.Additionalpotentialinfilllocationsarenotedwherebuildingsonce

stood.Wherenewinfilloccurs,buildingsshouldbedesignedtocomplementthehistorical

characterofthedowntownandthearchitecturalrecommendationsfollowinginthis

report.Additionally,developmentshouldoccurasithashistorically,withbuildingfacades

positionedimmediatelyadjacenttothesidewalkonMainStreet.


SampleInfillBuilding


Gateways and BrandingBecauseKewannaissomewhatgeographicallyisolated,brandingandgatewaysarecriticalto

attractingvisitorstothecommunity.Essentially,agatewayisamarkerthatannouncesarrival,

orgivesdirection,toaplace.Brandingandgatewayscanbeverycloselylinked,inthewaya

communitychoosestorepresentitself.Itsbrandshouldinformthedesignofagateway.Gate-

wayscantakeavarietyofshapesandsizes,andmayincludesigns,walls,artworks,archways,

etc.Currently,thetownhasasignnearthesouthsideofitscorporatelimitonSR17,asseenin

theadjacentphoto,thatisactingasagatewayandrepresentsthecommunity’scurrentbrand

asa“LittleTownwithaBigHeart.”Whilethecurrentsigndoesitsjobtoannouncearrivalat

Kewanna,peoplewhoseethesignaremostlikelyalreadytravellingtoKewannaanyway.In

ordertoattractnewvisitor’stoKewanna,additionalgatewaysmayneedtobesitedinheavily

traffickedareaswherepeoplecurrentlybypassKewanna.Itappearsthemostlogicallocations

forgatewaysinvolvetheintersectionofSR114andSR17,shownintheadjacentphoto,andthe

intersection of SR 14 and SR 17, also shown in an

adjacentphoto.

These two locations offer opportunities to cap-

turetheattentionoftravelerswhomightnot

otherwisebeawareofKewanna.Bymakingan

announcementofthecommunity,itsassets,and

offerings,thereisabetterchanceofattracting

additionalvisitorsandnewresidents.Additional

gateways,similartotheexistingsign,areimpor-

tant to announce arrival in Kewanna as well.


SR14&SR17Gateway

SR114&SR17Gateway

Existing Gateway


Intheadjacentgraphics,youwillseesomeexamplesofgatewaysthathavebeendesigned

and/orconstructedinothercommunities,aswellasasuggestionforanewlogofortheTown

ofKewanna.Inkeepingwiththethemeofa“LittleTownwithaBigHeart,”thelogobelow

representssomeofthelocalbusinesses,buildings,arts,food,andcitizenrythatKewannahas

tooffer.Thislogo,oronesimilartoit,couldbeextrapolatedandmadepartofasinglegate-

wayorseriesofgateways.Itcouldalsobeusedonbannersandinpublications,etc.Ulti-

mately,itwillbeuptothecitizensandleadershipofthecommunitytodecidehowtheywant

topromotethetownbutitisanessentialpartofKewanna’sfuturesuccess.


SampleGateway-Alexandria,IN

SampleGateway-Mooresville,INProposedSR14&SR17GatewaySignage

Branding

Suggestion

K

A Big Idea: Classic Art CarsBuildingontheideaofbranding,onebigideaistocapturetheexcitementsurrounding

local and visiting artists, and those visting Diane Tesler’s studio, gallery, and art classes

withaprofitableventurefeaturingclassiccarsthatcelebratestheminaone-of-a-kind

attraction.Thissuggestionwouldtargettheunderutilizedstorefrontspaceat114E.Main

Street and would convert it into a destination classic car experience. Essentially, the

space,aswellastheadjacentMinixBuildingtotheeast,andtheadjacentparkingtothe

west,wouldbereconditionedtohousethefollowing:

•Adinnertheaterwherespecialauto/vehiclerelatedprogrammingisfeatured.

•Aclassiccarleaseandrentalwhereclassiccarsaretransformedintodazzling

mobileartbythelocalcommunity

•Adestinationdiningexperiencewhereguestsareservedinactualautosandoncar

seats

•Agalleryspaceexhibitingpainting,sculpture,carving,etc.,allrelatedtocars

Theadjacentgraphicsgivesadiagrammaticdepictionofhowthesespacesmaybe

arranged,aswellassomeimageryofartcars.Whilenothingisaguaranteedsuccess,

itisthroughuniqueofferingssuchasthisthatKewannamaycreateanewmarketinthe

communitythatcouldhelpspurneweconomicdevelopmentandtourism.


42 —Kewanna Downtown Revitalization Plan

SampleArtCar


Trail SystemAnotherpossibilityforattractingvisitorsandactivitytoKewannaisthroughthe

developmentofmulti-usetrailsthatconnectthetowntonearbycommunitiesandlake-

orienteddevelopmentssuchasRochester,LakeBruce,Winamac,TippecanoeRiver

StatePark,BassLake,LakeMaxinkuckee,Culver,Logansport,andWarsaw.Asseenin

the graphic on the following page, Kewanna is already one stop as a part of a series of

“FultonCountyRoundBarnCycleRoutes”thatleadscyclistsalongscenicroutestraveling

along county roads and connecting to Rochester. Current routes do not use dedicated

cyclelanesorseparatetrailpaths,andarepoorlymarked.Additionally,bothRochester

andWinamachaveregionaltrailsconnectingtocommunitiestothesouth.Rochester’s

NickelPlateTrailconnectstoCassvilleinHowardCountyandWinamac’sPanhandle

PathwayconnectstoFranceParkjustoutsideofLogansport.Warsawalsohasafairly

extensivetrailsystem,butnoapparentconnectionstoRochesterorotherFultonCounty

communities.

Movingforward,itwouldbebestifKewannaandotherFultonCountycommunitiescould

pooltheirresourcestocreateregional,dedicatedcyclelanesordedicatedmulti-modal

trailsfortheaboveroutes.Additionalconnectionsareshowninthegraphiconthe

followingpage.Thesecyclelanesortrailsshouldbewellmarked,makingthemattractive

toindividualsandfamiliesalike.TheseconnectionswillencouragetravelaroundFulton

Countyandthroughthevariouscommunities.Thisactivitywillencouragehealthyliving

andwillultimatelyhelptobolsterthetourismandeconomyofKewannaandFulton

County.


SampleUrbanTrail-IndianapolisCulturalTrail

Sample

Greenway -

MononTrail,

Indianapolis


regional trail map

Kewanna Site Improvements Chapter Draft

Documents

Transcript of Kewanna Site Improvements Chapter Draft